We’ve all heard the stories of how professional players grow up playing sports with their siblings, and form a bond between one another while doing so. This is particularly true for over 400 sets of brothers who have played in Major League Baseball together. Here are a few pairs that currently play in the league and are living out their childhood dreams.
Luisangel Acuña and Ronald Acuña Jr.
Courtesy of MLB
Ronald Acuña Jr. is a 26-year-old right fielder for the Atlanta Braves. Ronald’s younger brother, Luisangel is a 22-year-old shortstop for the New York Mets. Luisangel was recently called up to the majors in September. In 2018 he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Ranger. Ronald signed with the Braves in 2015 and made his major league debut in 2018.
Their younger brother, Bryan Acuña plays for the Minnesota Twins’ rookie affiliate. Baseball seems to be in the Acuña family’s blood since their father, Ronald Acuña Sr. played in the minor leagues during his baseball career.
Josh and Bo Naylor
Josh and Bo Naylor play for the Cleveland Guardians. Josh is 27 and plays first base while his younger brother Bo, 24, plays catcher. The two were born and raised in Canada. Josh was drafted in 2015 to the Miami Marlins as a first-round pick and called up to the majors four years later. Bo was drafted to the Guardians in 2018 in the first round, and has been in the majors for two years now.
Courtesy of Carmen Mandato, Getty Images
Willson and William Contreras
Courtesy of Daniel Shirey, Getty Images
Willson Contreras, 32, is a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. His 26-year-old brother William follows in his footsteps and catches for the Milwaukee Brewers. The two are from Venezuela. Willson was signed to the Dominican Summer League Cubs in 2009, and then made his major league debut in 2015. As a free agent in 2022, he signed with the Cardinals. William signed a minor league contract with the Braves in 2015 and made his debut with them in 2020. After the 2022 season, William was traded to the Brewers.
Tyler and Taylor Rogers
Tyler and Taylor Rogers are identical twins that both pitch for the San Francisco Giants. The twins are from Denver, Colo. They went to different colleges and got drafted in different years. Taylor was drafted in 2012 to the Minnesota Twins after graduating from the University of Kentucky. Tyler was drafted in 2013 to the Giants upon his graduation from Austin Peay State University. Before signing to the Giants in 2022, Tyler also played for the San Diego Padres and the Brewers.
Courtesy of Mary DeCicco, Getty Images
Josh and Nathaniel Lowe
Courtesy of MLB
Georgia natives, Josh and Nathaniel Lowe are three years apart and have had quite the friendly rivalry throughout their professional career. Nathaniel, 29, is a first baseman for the Texas Rangers, meanwhile Josh, 26, plays right field for the Tampa Bay Rays. Over the last year, the brothers have been a support system for their mother, Wendy, after she was diagnosed with glioblastoma last summer. Watching her sons play, especially against each other, has brought out the ultimate baseball mom attire, including a split jersey between her two sons’ teams.
Aaron and Austin Nola
Courtesy of Matt Thomas, San Diego Padres
The perfect off-season duo, Kansas City Royals catcher Austin and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron, his younger brother are both originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 34-year-old Austin was drafted to the Marlins in 2012. He signed to the Seattle Mariners in 2019, where he made his major league debut that same season. At the end of his first professional season, he was traded to the Padres up until 2023 when he became a free agent, and signed with the Royals. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Aaron was a first-round draft pick for the Phillies in 2014 and he has been there ever since.
Honorable Mention: Cousins Jack and Mark Leiter Jr.
Left: Jack Leiter, Courtesy of Steph Chambers, Getty Images/Right: Mark Leiter Jr., Courtesy of David Dermer, Imagn Images
Jack, 24, is a pitcher for the Texas Rangers. His older cousin, Mark, 33, is a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Jack was drafted out of Vanderbilt as the second overall pick in 2021. He made his major league debut three years later. Mark was drafted by the Phillies in 2013 and made his major league debut in 2017. They are legacies to their fathers who also played professional baseball.
Jack’s dad, Al Leiter, was a pitcher for four major league teams. He made his debut with the Yankees in 1987 and ended his career with them in 204. Along the way, he spent time with the Marlins, Mets, and the Toronto Blue Jays. Mark Lieter Sr. was also a pitcher. He played for eight major league teams during his 11-year tenure in the league. He debuted with the Yankees in 1990, then spent time with the California Angels, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, the Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and the Seattle Mariners before ending his career with the Brewers in 2001.
Courtesy of Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Edited by Brittany Snow
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